Piper PA-28-140 Collision with Power Lines Near Beaufort West (ZS-NFU)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On 17 August 2010, a Piper PA-28-140 with registration ZS-NFU was involved in an accident near Beaufort West, Western Cape, South Africa. The aircraft was operated by a flying school for a private hire-and-fly flight from Beaufort West aerodrome (FABW) to George aerodrome (FAGG). The pilot, a 19-year-old South African private pilot, was the sole person on board. The flight was conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with clear skies, a temperature of 14°C, and a light wind from 170° true north at 3 knots. ## Sequence of Events The pilot took off from runway 08 at Beaufort West aerodrome at 0700Z. After climbing to approximately 450 feet above ground level (AGL), he initiated a steep left turn with a bank angle of about 45 degrees. While rolling out of the turn, the pilot reached for a camera to photograph the runway. He had already reduced power to 2,200 rpm to slow the aircraft for the photograph. As he was about to switch the camera on, he saw a bird on the left side of the aircraft. In an attempt to avoid a bird-strike, the pilot increased the bank angle but failed to increase power simultaneously. This caused the aircraft to enter a wing-over type of manoeuvre, resulting in a rapid descent. The pilot lost control momentarily but regained it at about 30 feet AGL. As he levelled off, the aircraft collided with power cables spanning a road. The impact shattered the windscreen, causing cuts to the pilot's forehead. ## Aftermath and Damage Despite the collision, the pilot managed to regain control and returned to Beaufort West aerodrome for an uneventful landing. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a shattered windscreen and damage to the wing. One power cable was severed and another was damaged. The pilot sustained minor injuries, specifically cuts to his face. ## Probable Cause and Contributing Factors The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to observe electrical power lines during recovery from an unusual manoeuvre. Contributing factors included poor airmanship, lack of situational awareness, and distraction from flying the aircraft due to operating the camera. The investigation found no pre-existing system, structural, or powerplant failures, and the aircraft was within mass and balance limitations at the time of the accident.